February 6

Chemical Reactions & Equations + NOVA: Beyond the Elements - Reactions 🔬

In this lesson, we explored how chemical reactions work, how they are represented in equations, and their real-world applications.

📖 Part 1: Chemical Reactions & Equations Notes

We took notes on the basics of chemical equations and learned how to interpret them.

Key Concepts Covered:

✅ Reactants & Products – The substances on the left side of a chemical equation are reactants, and the substances on the right side are products.
✅ Symbols in Equations – Arrows (→) show the direction of the reaction, while plus signs (+) separate multiple reactants or products.
✅ Coefficients & Subscripts – Coefficients in front of chemical formulas tell us how many molecules are involved. Subscripts show the number of atoms in a compound.
✅ Reversible vs. Irreversible Reactions – Some reactions can go both ways (↔), while others only proceed in one direction (→).
✅ States of Matter – Symbols like (s), (l), and (g) show whether a substance is a solid, liquid, or gas.

We also labeled parts of a sample chemical equation to practice reading and interpreting them.

🎥 Part 2: NOVA - Beyond the Elements: Reactions

We watched a NOVA documentary that explored how chemical reactions shape our world.

Key Takeaways from the Video:

🔥 Combustion Reactions – How fuels like gasoline and oxygen create fire and energy.
⚡ Explosions & Energetic Reactions – How certain materials store massive amounts of energy in their bonds.
🍽️ Chemical Reactions in Cooking – Why heat changes the molecular structure of food.
🌎 Natural Reactions in Everyday Life – Rusting, digestion, and photosynthesis are ongoing chemical processes all around us.

💡 Why This Matters:

Understanding chemical reactions helps us explain everything from baking cookies to fueling cars. Equations model these processes, allowing scientists to predict and control chemical changes.

💥 Great job learning about the science behind reactions! Stay curious, and keep looking for chemistry in the world around you. 🔬✨